Winner of multiple international awards, Norway's Grieg Trio has established itself as one of the leading piano trios in the world. Avid proponents of both contemporary music and Norwegian musical culture, the Grieg Trio has also earned world-wide praise for its performances and recordings of the great classics. Since 2004, the Grieg Trio serves as Artistic Directors of the International Chamber Music Festival at Stavanger, Norway. The Trio returns to Kohl Mansion after seven years' absence.

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Formed in 1984 by four prize-winning graduates of the Paris Conservatory, the Parisii Quartet won early acclaim with its triumphs at the Banff, Munich and Evian international competitions. Noted for its performances of distinctive and unusual repertoire of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, the Parisii has distinguished itself with recordings of intriguing works by French composers. Hailed in concert halls across Europe, Asia and North America, the Parisii Quartet makes a welcome return to Kohl Mansion.

Musicologist Kai Christiansen will speak about the program at 6 pm.

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Founded 25 years ago in New York, the Alexander String Quartet has secured its standing among the world's premier ensembles. Now at home in San Francisco, the Alexander is a major artistic presence, serving as Ensemble-in-Residence of San Francisco Performances and directors of San Francisco State University's Morrison Chamber Music Center. Widely admired for its interpretations of Beethoven, Mozart and Shostakovich, the Quartet is also an ad-vocate of new music, with numerous commissions and premières. Active in Music at Kohl's in-schools programs for over a decade, the Alexander returns to our Chamber Series by popular demand.

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Known in Europe simply as "Les Musiciens", these three great French soloists have been connected by their love of chamber music since their student days at the Paris Conservatory. The Paris Piano Trio's first major tour of the U.S. in 1998 won superlatives from critics and presenters across the country, and has since led to return engagements in major cities from Washington to Los Angeles. At the peak of their individual careers, the members are making an increased commitment to the Trio, which affords them the opportunity to express simultaneously their musical individuality and their total musical rapport.

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Praised for its "stunning technical expertise, outstanding ensemble and a particularly accomplished musical identity", the Amedeo Modigliani Quartet won the 2006 Young Concert Artists International Auditions in New York after winning First Prize in the 2005 Young Concert Artists European Auditions in Paris. Formed in 2003 at the Paris Conservatory, the Modigliani has already performed at renowned festivals and concert venues in Europe. Kohl audiences will hear these sensational young musicians between their Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall débuts that same week, and before they take the world by storm!

Musicologist Kai Christiansen will speak about the program at 6 pm.

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The Bay Area's own all-star trio comes "home" to Kohl Mansion. The FOG Trio was founded in 1984 by world-renowned pianist Garrick Ohlsson, Minnesota Orchestra concertmaster Jorja Fleezanis (former S.F. Symphony associate concertmaster) and S.F. Symphony principal cellist Michael Grebanier. Whenever these three friends take time from their busy individual careers to perform as the FOG Trio, we are guaranteed an evening of magic that reflects their great joy in playing together. Their visits to Music at Kohl are always cause for celebration. Musicologist Michael Steinberg, well-known to Bay Area music lovers, will introduce the program.

One of the most active ensembles on the international scene, the Vilnius Quartet returns after a two-year absence. The Vilnius has toured in 50 countries and performs 80 concerts each year at home and abroad. The Quartet has played at many music festivals on several continents and has recorded more than 40 LPs and CDs. Performing new works by composers from various countries world-wide, the Quartet also avidly promotes the music of its own country. These prolific musicians from the historic capital city of Lithuania are distinguished by a repertoire of more than 450 chamber works.

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We celebrate the season in the magically decorated Kohl Mansion with musicians from the San Francisco Symphony and the return of pianist Robin Sutherland and violist Geraldine Walther. Followed by a festive holiday reception with the artists.

This program is a special non-subscription event and is not a part of our Chamber Music Series

Virtuosity, inventiveness and soul are the hallmarks of the Snake Trio, a charismatic Latin ensemble featuring Venezuelan multi-instrumentalist and composer Jackeline Rago, composer-arranger Donna Viscuso on flute and saxophones; and Mexico City native Saul Sierra on acoustic and electric bass. The Trio is hailed for its fascinating fusion of Latin and folk rhythms with adventurous jazz explorations. Audiences find it difficult to sit still. Dancing in your seats is permitted!

The dynamic Cavani String Quartet returns to the Mansion following last year's success with a program that will demonstrate why these four talented musicians are nationally recognized as pioneers in arts-in-education. Quartet-in-Residence at the Cleveland Institute of Music since 1988, the Cavani is known for a deep commitment to teaching. Sought after for their ability to cultivate community partnerships, the four have collaborated with artists across disciplines to create programs that unite poetry, painting, theatre and dance with the string quartet medium.

The art of Flamenco is an expression of life, a communication on the deepest and most profound level. One the most gifted Flamenco artists of her generation, Yaelisa has captivated audiences around the world for the exquisite passion of her performances and her extraordinary rhythmic ability, which radiates nothing less than pure emotion. Under her direction, Caminos Flamencos expands upon the traditional vocabulary of Flamenco through collaborations with artists in modern, jazz and ethnic dance and music idioms. Yaelisa and her troupe bring the fiery music and dance of the Spanish Gypsies to conclude our Friday series.

The Asian Treasure Bag — Eth-Noh-Tec

Since 1982, the versatile musician-dancer-storytellers of Eth-Noh-Tec have performed for adults and children alike nationally and internationally. The company weaves music, dance, rhythmic dialogue, lively facial expressions and the spoken word to inspire the imagination and bring Asian folktales alive. Their highly stylized and lyrical movement is accompanied by musical instruments such as Japanese taiko drums, Filipino kulintang gongs, voice and bamboo flutes. Eth-Noh-Tec's performances bridge cultural gaps while addressing a worldwide humanity that is common to us all.